First Lady style swap: Melania Trump adds Samantha Cameron’s label, Cefinn to her wardrobe

Melania Trump has added a perhaps-unlikely new label to her style repertoire; the British start-up Cefinn, founded this year by Samantha Cameron.

On a visit to discuss an ongoing drug addiction epidemic in West Virginia yesterday, Trump forwent her typical ‘America first’ policy (usually we see her in Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and other big New York names) instead choosing Cameron’s vivid green ‘belted muslin shirt dress’ design, with signature Christian Louboutin snakeskin heels. Priced at ￡295, the dress is still available to buy in sizes 6-14 from Cefinn's website and at Net-a-Porter.com.

It is understood that the current US First Lady and the former British Prime Minister’s wife don’t personally know each other - indeed their times in office didn’t overlap, meaning that they would never have crossed paths on diplomatic tours, or at official events for heads of states. The two undoubtedly have a lot in common, though, in that they both understand the demanding role of 'First Spouse', as well as the unique set of wardrobe requirements and pressures that come with it.

Whatever Cameron chose to wear during her husband’s time in office was heavily scrutinised, whether for its appropriateness for the occasion (remember how the tabloids lashed at her for not wearing a hat to the Royal Wedding in 2011?) or the unspoken messages she may be trying to convey through her clothing (one must always represent British brands when abroad, of course). It's a territory that Trump has also had to navigate with care since entering The White House on 4th January.

When she founded Cefinn back in February, Cameron outlined the gap that she had spotted in the market, catering for stylish, professional women in need of sophisticated workwear. ‘There’s definitely a market for sleek, fashion-conscious affordable office wear,” she previously told The Telegraph of the balance she hoped to strike with her quality fabrics and flattering cuts for women of all ages. She noted, however, that these were also the sartorial solutions that she hadn’t been able to easily find for herself while her husband was in office, thus rendering Cefinn an ideal place for any woman hoping to look polished in the public eye to hit. 

Belted muslin shirt dress, ￡295, Cefinn at Net-a-Porter.com 

“I remember the first couple of party conferences looking really odd because I had to borrow things,” she said of the challenges she faced at Number 10. “I’d turn up and [the special advisers] would say, “What are you going to wear?” I’d show them all these things I thought were really nice, but they’d all be grey or black. You realise quite quickly that you have to put in a bit of time and effort. When I see the Duchess of Cambridge or Michelle Obama, I know that getting it that right, which they do, takes a lot of time.”

While Cameron may not know Mrs Trump, she did get to know Mrs Obama very well and has expressed great admiration for her former American counterpart. “Michelle Obama and I would compliment each other privately,” Cameron told The Telegraph. “She was so good at supporting British designers if she was coming to Downing Street or if we were going to Washington, we would check with her team, so that we didn’t turn up in anything too similar. Yes, I’d love to have her wear my label, but I haven’t asked her.”

Putting party politics aside, it's likely that Samantha Cameron will still be chuffed to see Obama's replacement, Mrs Trump, wearing her designs this morning. She of all people knows the stakes - anything that she, or Obama wore during their time in office was almost guaranteed to sell out, as the media beamed their pictures around the world.

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Obama is widely credited with launching the career of now-established New York name Jason Wu, while Cameron championed London's Roksanda Ilincic, Christopher Kane and Preen during her tenure. Endorsement from a First Lady on either side of the pond is exposure that, particularly for a new brand, money simply can't buy. Cameron might even be grateful that, after all her years launching other people's fashion businesses, someone has finally returned the favour.